Page 88 of Cages and Crowns
“Change it?” Davenport sneers.
“I am no longer a Rosenthal, thanks to you, so yes. Change it.”
“To what?” Kassius asks softly.
“Anything but that.” I set the piece back down, glancing at the countrieson the other side of the sea. Places like Ovobia, and Dorin, Khailes. All countries I have never even heard of.
Countries I now rule over.
“Anything else,princess?”
“I would like to know what is going on with the war. Where are our armies, how many men do we have, what are our chances of survival? All of it.” I strengthen my voice, trying to sound as regal as possible.
“Why?” He spits.
“I am the queen, am I not?” I tilt my head.
“In title only.”
“No, that wasn’t our deal.” I lean forward, my hands on the table.
“You are merely a figurehead. The armies you ask about? They aremine. All of this is mine.” He snaps, gesturing to the entire map. I bite my tongue. How am I supposed to assert dominance if I don’t even want this?
“You said I could be involved.” I say through gritted teeth.
“You can be involved by giving our troops something to look at.”
“Dav!” Kassius interrupts, but I swallow the fury down, letting it fade.
“Fine.” I mutter before turning out of the room and heading back to my chambers. There is no reason to fight, no reason to complain.
I didn’t want this.
Idon’twant this.
Right?
Chapter Forty-Seven
The Caged
Time moves differently when you aren’t happy. I thought it moved weird in Noterra, but here, it’s been days, and it feels as if I have lived through weeks, months even.
Nithe snores from his place on the settee, another night where I can’t sleep, where I can’t even breathe deep enough to get adequate oxygen. Nausea has been coming on in waves, sending me to the bathing room multiple times. Each time, he wakes and holds my hair. He ensures I drink water and make it back to bed.
Each night he cares for me, yet all I feel is fear in his presence. Fear after that first night after our wedding. Fear of what we had to do with an audience. Fear for what I felt and for what I enjoyed. Fear for what he did with Emery.
Fear for the person I am becoming.
We don’t speak during the day. I eat my meals alone or with Scarlett, I train with Emery on how to use a dagger, which I feel as if I might be getting goodat it. I train with Enzo on maneuvers and attempts to escape captivity. Yet no one teaches me about my aether. No one even attempts to help me control it or learn more about it. I try to learn more about our armies, but everyone shuts me out. I feel like everyone is avoiding me,afraidof me.
I can barely channel my aether, no matter how many times I will for it to come. It feels like the connection between my mind and the starlight has been severed or is barely holding on.
I slide out from underneath the covers, my bare feet meeting the warm wooden floors. The night is hot and humid, pressing down on me like a blanket of stones. I climb onto the balcony and rest my hands on the railing. The moon is full, bright. Stars sprinkle about the dark sky, reminding me of glitter.
I stare down at my hands, my palms tingling as they feel the stars presence. I will for the starlight to appear. Lightning flashes through my veins turning them white before they fade to a deep black.
I squeeze my hands shut, a tear escaping my eye.
